The Layers
Introduction
This topic will explain what layers are, what the layer manager is, where to find it, and explain the functionality of layers and the Layer Manager.
Layers
The Layers are what CAD geometry is created on. The default CAD layer is always visible in the Layers Manager. While the original CAD layer, cannot be deleted, it can be renamed. Any geometry, or dimensions, that are created, are automatically placed on the Active layer.
The Layer Manager
The purpose of the Layers Manager is to provide a way to keep your CAD drawings organized. Layers can be hidden to only show certain aspects of a drawing, or you can place different versions of the same part on separate layers. The Layers Manager can be used to specify a particular color and line style to use for each layer, and you can also select all the geometry on a given layer for use with other CAD functions or CAM features.
Navigation
The default location of the Layers Manager is the right-hand side of the user interface. When the pane is docked with other Managers, as is the case by default, clicking the Layers tab will access the Layer Manager.
The Layers Manager Quick Access Toolbar
Add New
Layer - adds a new layer to the list with the description available
to be renamed. Type the name of the layer and press Enter.
Move Layer
Up - moves the selected layer up the list. 
Move Layer
Down - moves the selected layer down the list. 
Delete Layer
- removes the selected layer from the layers list. The layer must
be empty, or it can't be deleted.- Use Layer Attributes
- The colors and line styles applied to the Current Document Settings will be used for geometry created on the active layer.
- The colors and line styles applied to the Current Document Settings will be overridden, and the color, and line style used for geometry created on the active layer will be dictated by the color and line style assigned to that layer.
The Layers Manager Shortcut Menu
To create or modify layers, click the Layer
New button at the top of the Layer Manager, or you can right-click anywhere in the Layers Manager window, and select Add New Layer, to access the shortcut
menu.
- Add New
Layer - adds a new layer to the list with the description available
to be renamed. Type the name of the layer and press Enter.
Active Layer
- sets the selected layer as the active layer (or active drawing layer).- Move Layer
Up - moves the selected layer up the list.
- Move Layer
Down - moves the selected layer down the list.
Show All Layers - makes all layers
visible.
Hide All Layers - makes all layers
hidden.
Show Layer - makes the selected
layer visible.
Hide Layer - makes the selected
layer hidden.- Rename Layer - enables the layer description for you to type a new name.
- Delete Layer
- removes the selected layer from the layers list. The layer must
be empty, or it can't be deleted.
Visibility, Active Layer, Name, Color, and Line Style
Each one of the columns in the Layer Manager control a different aspect of the layers . In each row, the columns contain visual aids that are used to show the current state of the each layer.
- Visibility - The contents of each layer, can be visible, or not. This column will set whether the particular layer is hidden.
This icon means
that the layer is visible. You can click this icon to hide the layer.
This icon means
that the layer is hidden. You can click this icon to show the layer.
-
Active Layer - Only one layer can be drawn in at a given time. This column sets which is the active layer being drawn in.
This is the active
layer icon. There is always only one active layer. Any geometry that is
created is drawn on this layer. Any layer without this icon is considered
a non-active layer. Clicking on a layers row, in this column, will make
that the active layer, and move the icon to that position.
-
Name - Each layer is given a name upon creation. The original layer is always CAD, with additional layers numbered as Layer-1, Layer-2, etc. To change the name of a layer, double click on the name and enter the name as you wish for it to appear. This column will list the name of each layer.
-
Color - assigns a particular color to the layer. This is only utilized when the Overwrite option is active.
Tip: When each layer is created, the current entity color is assigned to it, which can be updated at any time directly from the layer. To utilize each layers specific color, select the Use Layers Attributes option. With the Use Layers Attributes option active, switching to an active layer whose assigned color differs from the current active color, will automatically update the active color.
-
Line Style - Assigns a particular line style to the layer. This is only utilized when the Overwrite option is active.
Tip: When each layer is created, the current entity line style is assigned to it, which can be updated at any time directly from the layer. To utilize each layers specific line style, select the Use Layers Attributes option. With the Use Layers Attributes option active, switching to an active layer whose assigned line style differs from the current active line style, will automatically update the active line style.
